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This is an archive article published on May 12, 2022

Kerala: KV Thomas sacked from Congress after addressing CPI(M) poll convention

Addressing a CPI(M) election convention at Thrikkakara in Kochi, Thomas on Thursday said "Congress’ soft-Hindutva line" would shatter religious harmony in the country.

KV Thomas, KV Thomas, show cause notice, Sunil Jakhar, A K Antony, Congress, AICC, Indian Express, India news, current affairs, Indian Express News Service, Express News Service, Express News, Indian Express India NewsLast month, Thomas had attended a seminar during CPI(M) party congress in Kannur, defying the Congress diktat.

Hours after senior Congress leader and former Union minister K V Thomas addressed a CPI(M) election convention for Thrikkakara by-election on Thursday, praising Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and saying that the Congress’s “soft-Hindutva line’’ would shatter religious harmony in the country, the state Congress leadership sacked him from the party.

Announcing the decision, party’s Kerala unit chief K Sudhakaran told reporters that the AICC has given consent for the action against Thomas.

Addressing a CPI(M) election meet at Thrikkakara in Kochi, Thomas on Thursday said he is on the side of development. The five-time MP showered praise on the Chief Minister, who inaugurated the party event — Thrikkakara goes to the bypolls on May 31. Stating that Vijayan has brought development to Kerala, Thomas said: “I had said within the party (Congress) that we should support K-rail, the semi-high-speed rail corridor. The project should not be opposed (solely) on the ground that it was proposed by Vijayan. I have always stood with development. I have no hesitation in saying I am with Vijayan, the leader of development. It has been proved in recent years that only a powerful leader like Vijayan can go ahead, overcoming all hurdles.”

State Congress chief Sudhakaran said Thomas’s exit will not affect the party’s prospects in Thrikkakara. “We had conducted a survey in the region, which showed Congress will not lose any votes by taking action against him (Thomas),” he said.

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

 

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